France admits that Ukraine, Russia and the European Union can work together to modernize Ukrainian gas transport system, French Ambassador to Ukraine Jacques Faure said in a TV Channel 5 interview, informs GHN referring to UKRINFORM.
The diplomat said the EU is considering participation in this joint project. "At present the proposal is on the EU negotiating table, as well as in France; we are ready to seriously consider these opportunities," he said.
Faure noted readiness of the Ukrainian side to negotiate this joint project, and stressed that on the part of the European Union there are no obstacles either. However, the ambassador recalled, it is necessary to know the opinion of the Russian side regarding joint modernization of the gas transportation system.
As reported, previously President Viktor Yanukovych of Ukraine and President Nicolas Sarkozy of France noted at their meeting in Paris the importance of modernization of the Ukrainian gas transport system.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, as the provider of a grant in the amount of 2.5 million euros, has completed the first extended phase of assessment of winners for the right to develop a feasibility study on reconstruction and modernization of the Ukrainian gas transport system, taking into account environmental impact.
At this stage, of the 12 companies 5 candidates were named to continue the contest. Those are the American Mott MacDonald Ltd, Spanish Mercados Energeticos S.A., American PACE Global Energy Services LLC, Finnish Sweco Industry Oy and Dutch Tebodin BV. These companies will now have to submit to the tender committee of EBRD experts their more detailed proposals on the feasibility study.